Lexical entry

立直

riichi

Declaring one is one tile away from winning in Mahjong; metaphorically, being close to success.

Sports & GamesPure GairaigoSemantic ShiftSource: Chinese

Meaning

A Mahjong declaration when needing one more tile to win. Also used generally for being on the verge of success.

Examples

Example Sentences

彼は最後に立直をかけて逆転勝ちした。

かれはさいごにリーチをかけてぎゃくてんがちした。

He declared riichi at the end and won from behind.

generated example

優勝まであと一勝で立直がかかった。

ゆうしょうまであといっしょうでリーチがかかった。

With only one win left until the championship, they are one step away.

generated example

目標達成まであと一歩のところで立直だ。

もくひょうたっせいまであといっぽのところでリーチだ。

We are just one step away from achieving our goal.

generated example

聴牌

テンパイ

A state in Mahjong where one is one tile away from a winning hand.

一向聴

イーシャンテン

A state in mahjong where a player needs only one more tile to reach a ready hand (tenpai).

Evidence and Provenance